Litany of Lament

Litany of Lament
Psalm 89:46-52

For Ukraine’s war, dear Lord, how long,
her cities bombed to dust?
Young children flee from Russia’s guns,
Lord, rescue those who trust!

Insurgents cause mayhem in towns
their weapons all spread fear.
They hold our cities hostages,
Will you, Lord, now appear?

Rich owners of the dirty mines
dig profits from the earth,
they vandalise our climate’s health,
Lord, bring the world new birth.

Some loathsome folk steal from the poor   
Their hearts all soaked in pride,
Our world divided by their greed,
Lord, show you’re on our side.

 It’s urgent, Lord, you now come near,
Why should you stay away?  
Dispel our doubts, dissolve our fear,
Turn to us, Lord, we pray!

• Ted Witham tssf 2022

Metre: 8686. Tune: Martyrdom TiS 25
                                   or: St Peter TiS 485            

Alternative words to verse 1

For all at war, dear Lord, how long,
With cities bombed to dust?
Young children flee aggressors’ guns,
Lord, rescue those who trust!

Gaze on the Mirror of Eternity

Gaze upon the Lord of love,
gaze upon his face of grace;
gaze upon the living One
who holds you in close embrace.

Gaze upon the Lord of love,
gaze upon his coming poor
from the highest of the heavens
to our lowly earthly shore.

Look upon his loving way,
look upon his open heart,
look upon his sacred cross,
from death’s dust to bring new start.

If you learn from suffering,
If you open to life’s pain,
and allow your heart to weep,
then with him you’ll always reign.

Gaze upon the Lord’s dear cross,
the wounds of each day’s love,
Gaze on his life, and know the
splendours of God’s heav’n above.

• Adapted from St Clare of Assisi and the Irish Province OFM
• Sing to The Carnival is Over
  NOTE: To sing the last stanza, repeat the last 8 bars of the music,
  i.e. from Bar 25 to the second ending.
• Or leave out the last four lines of the words.